New Maryland laws [Pictures]

CaptionGas prices

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To pay for new roads, bridges and public transportation, the first phase of a higher gas tax will be seen at the pump on July 1. Each gallon will cost 3.5 cents more, putting the state tax total at 27 cents.

To pay for new roads, bridges and public transportation, the first phase of a higher gas tax will be seen at the pump on July 1. Each gallon will cost 3.5 cents more, putting the state tax total at 27 cents. (Getty Images)

Motorists will pay more to cross major bridges or use tunnels in the state now that the Maryland Transportation Authority raised tolls. Crossing the Baltimore Harbor will cost $1 more; tolls to traverse the Bay Bridge or the Susquehanna River will cost $2 more but are only levied in a single...

Motorists will pay more to cross major bridges or use tunnels in the state now that the Maryland Transportation Authority raised tolls. Crossing the Baltimore Harbor will cost $1 more; tolls to traverse the Bay Bridge or the Susquehanna River will cost $2 more but are only levied in a single... (Kim Hairston / Baltimore Sun)

State law calls for local storm water fees to be on the books by July 1. The fees, sometimes called the "rain tax" by critics, are levied in hopes to help prevent uncontrolled rainfall from running into the Chesapeake Bay, carrying pollutants and sediment that threaten the waterway's health....

State law calls for local storm water fees to be on the books by July 1. The fees, sometimes called the "rain tax" by critics, are levied in hopes to help prevent uncontrolled rainfall from running into the Chesapeake Bay, carrying pollutants and sediment that threaten the waterway's health.... (Amy Davis / Baltimore Sun)

The state now has a blueprint to negotiate with private companies to help pay for big public projects. While nothing is set in stone, state leaders anticipate such partnerships could pay for new bridges or building the Red Line in Baltimore or the Purple Line in the Washington-D.C. suburbs.

The state now has a blueprint to negotiate with private companies to help pay for big public projects. While nothing is set in stone, state leaders anticipate such partnerships could pay for new bridges or building the Red Line in Baltimore or the Purple Line in the Washington-D.C. suburbs. (Amy Davis / Baltimore Sun)

Election officials can begin building an online voter registration system. Another election law officially expands the state's early voting program, though voters won't notice that change until the 2014 election.

Election officials can begin building an online voter registration system. Another election law officially expands the state's early voting program, though voters won't notice that change until the 2014 election. (Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun)

New laws that will affect gas prices, the rebuilding of city schools, the cost of prepaid cell phones, yachts, veterans and other niches of daily life will take effect July 1. Of the 766 laws Maryland legislators passed this year, 203 begin on that day. Here is the skinny on some new laws and...